How to Shop for Health Insurance

Do you struggle to pay your medical bills? Whether your unemployed, self-employed, not covered by your spouse's health insurance or whether your employer doesn't offer you health insurance, you can still get help with your medical bills. Keep reading to find out how you can shop for health insurance.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Determine what coverage you need: individual or family health insurance.

2. Decide on the type of health insurance you want to buy.

3. Consider travel health insurance if you travel a lot.

4. Ask yourself the following questions and then find the answers: Will doctors in my area accept the plan? Does my doctor accept insurance from the provider I'm considering? Will I be able to choose my own doctor--a doctor I'm comfortable with and know a little bit about?

5. Find out if the health insurance plan(s) you're interested in covers a specialist. You may not need a specialist right now, but you never know what your future holds. Therefore, if you can afford a plan that includes coverage for a specialist, I recommend you circle that health insurance provider as a possible choice.

6. Study the plan to make sure they offer coverage for any pre-existing medical conditions you may suffer from. If none of the plans offer this and you need it, call the provider and inquire about health insurance that covers any pre-existing medical conditions you have.

7. Scan the plans from the health insurance providers you're considering to see if they cover emergency room visits, hospital stays, physicals, prescription drugs, outpatient services, doctor office visits and vaccinations.

8. Examine the plans to see if they cover chiropractic care. This is optional. If you have a job that requires lifting or back strain, then you may need this coverage.

9. Looking at your list of possible heath insurance providers, see which ones are left to choose from and write the names of each provider on a separate sheet of paper. Start with the cheapest one first and list the highest one last.

10. Figure all your monthly expenses and select the remaining health insurance plan that fits within your budget and offers the coverage you need.

11. Congratulations! You should now know how to shop for health insurance! When you're ready to get help with those medical bills, call the health insurance provider you decided on to start the ball rolling.

Tips & Warnings

• Explore the Internet for health insurance websites that allow you to request quotes and additional information. Search for "health insurance," "individual health insurance," or "family health insurance."
• Don't choose the first plan you come across. Take your time, read all the material sent to you, and choose the student health insurance plan that's right for you.
• Read all the fine print and restrictions closely.

[unitedbga]

on 9/5/2008 I have been in the health insurance field for many years and this is a very good article.
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